Springfield, IL (WAND-TV) – A lawsuit filed in Sangamon County Circuit Court alleges the Springfield Catholic Archdiocese failed to prevent an alleged case of sexual abuse of a young altar boy in Taylorville.

Our news partners at WAND-TV report the suit claims Father John O’Connell abused the child between 1991 and 1994 on the grounds of St. Mary’s Catholic School and Church.

Attorneys from Gould, Grieco and Hensley PLLC allege the Diocese failed to keep children from being alone with clergy without supervision, failed to implement safeguards to prevent abuse, and failed to report misconduct to the authorities.

O’Connell died in 2002, but attorneys say that does not remove accountability.

In a statement provided to WAND by the Diocese, it said it does not comment on pending litigation.

The statement also provides numbers to report cases of abuse and reiterates the Diocese has a Victim Assistance Coordinator standing by to help anyone who believes they have been victims of abuse.